Items tagged with 'Valley Cats'

The ValleyCats open the 2018 season this weekend at The Joe

tri-city valleycats night game at the joe

The Tri-City ValleyCats open their 2018 season this Friday at The Joe against the Vermont Lake Monsters. It's schedule magnet night and there will be fireworks after the game. It's part of a three-game home stand that runs through Sunday.

The ValleyCats are a farm team for the Houston Astros in the New York-Penn League, which is the "short-season A" level. (Minor league baseball's levels go from rookie ball up to AAA.) And while that's a few steps from the majors, more than 30 one-time ValleyCats have ended up making appearances in MLB -- including Jose Altuve, George Springer, Dallas Keuchel, Hunter Pence, and Ben Zobrist.

Many of the Astros top draft picks -- especially older players out of college -- end up being assigned to the ValleyCats. So it's a chance to see players with a real chance of someday making the majors.

Tickets start as low as $6.50 the day of game (you can save a buck or so buying ahead). And the most expensive tickets are $12.50. So it can be relatively cheap night out. The 'Cats regular season home schedule stretches through the last week of August this year.

And The Joe -- the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College -- is a nice venue.

Also: It's minor minor league baseball, so there are a bunch of promotions, wacky theme nights, and in-game fun like the mayors race.

The ValleyCats open their 2017 season this week

tri-city valleycats night game

The Tri-City ValleyCats open their 2017 home season this Wednesday at The Joe against the Lowell Spinners. There will be fireworks after the game. It's part of a six-game homestand that runs through next Monday. (Their season opens on the road at Connecticut Monday night.)

The ValleyCats are a farm team for the Houston Astros in the New York-Penn League, which is the "short-season A" level. (Minor league baseball's levels go from rookie ball up to AAA.) And while that's a few steps from the majors, more than 30 one-time ValleyCats have ended up making appearances in MLB -- including Hunter Pence, Ben Zobrist, Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Dallas Keuchel.

Many of the Astros top draft picks -- especially older players out of college -- end up being assigned to the ValleyCats.

Tickets start as low as $5.75 (the most expensive are $11), so it can be relatively cheap night out. And The Joe -- Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College -- is a nice venue. Also: It's minor minor league baseball, so there are a bunch of promotions, wacky theme nights, and the mayors race.

ValleyCats open home season this week

tri-city valleycats night game at the joe

The Joe

The Tri-City ValleyCats open their 2015 home season Thursday evening at The Joe. They'll be facing the Staten Island Yankees in the first of a three-game series. (If it seems like the season started a little late, it's probably because the team played its first six games on the road.)

The ValleyCats are a farm team for the Houston Astros in the New York-Penn League, which is the "short-season A" level. (Minor league baseball's levels go from rookie ball up to AAA.) And while that's a few steps from the majors, more than 30 one-time ValleyCats have ended up making appearances in MLB -- including Hunter Pence, Ben Zobrist, Jose Altuve, George Springer, and most recently, Vincent Velazquez (who made his debut for Houston this month).

Many of the Astros top draft picks -- especially older players out of college -- end up being assigned to the ValleyCats. And this year should be no different.

Tickets start at $5.75 if you buy ahead of time, so it can be relatively cheap night out. The Joe -- er, Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College -- is a nice venue. And, this being minor league baseball, there are a bunch of promotions and wacky theme nights.

The mayor meets the "mayor"

kathy sheehan and ValleyCats kathy sheehan

Because Albany now has a new mayor, so too does the mayors' mascot race at the ValleyCats games.

And today Kathy Sheehan met "Kathy Sheehan."

The new "Mayor Sheehan" has a rigorous training regiment ahead of her.

photo: Tri-City ValleyCats

Drawing: ValleyCats championship tickets (+ballpark food)

joe bruno stadium night game 525x350

The ValleyCats take on the State College Spikes at The Joe in the NY-Penn League Championships tomorrow.

The Tri-City ValleyCats have reached the New York-Penn league Championships, and on Tuesday night, win or lose, they'll play their last home game of the 2013 season (games 2 and, if necessary, 3 will be played at State College PA.)

We have a four-pack of tickets for the tomorrow's game, that include food vouchers -- and we're giving them away, maybe to you.

To enter, please answer this question in the comments:

The end of the ValleyCats season is reminder that another summer has come and -- nearly-- gone. What's your favorite memory of the summer of 2013?

We'll pick one winner at random. That person will get a package that includes four tickets to Tuesday's game, plus vouchers for each person to get:

+ 1 beer or soda
+ 1 hot dog
+ 1 bag of chips
+ 1 ice cream sundae

Tuesday's game starts at 7 pm. Tickets to the game are still available and start at $5.50 online or $6.50 on game day.

Important: All comments must be submitted by 11:55 pm Monday, September 9, 2013 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 10 am on Tuesday, September 10 and must respond by noon that day.

ValleyCats season starts this week

joe bruno stadium night game

The Joe.

The Tri-City ValleyCats open their 2013 season tonight (Monday) at The Joe versus the Vermont Lake Monsters. They have a three game series with the Lake Monsters, then they hit the road. They'll be back in town June 26 for a long home stand.

The ValleyCats are a farm team for the Houston Astros in the New York-Penn League, which is the "short-season A" level. (Minor league baseball's levels go from rookie ball up to AAA.) And while that's a far throw from the majors, a bunch of ValleyCats have ended up making appearances in MLB -- including Hunter Pence and Ben Zobrist. The Astros had the top pick in this year's draft and took Stanford pitcher Mark Appel -- it'll be interesting to see if he ends up spending any time with the ValleyCats. (He's a four-year college player who's expected to be in the majors soon, so he might start at a higher level). Alas, the immortally-named Stubby Clapp has moved on from the manager's position.

Tickets for ValleyCats games start at $5.50 if you buy ahead of time, so it can be a cheap night out. And, of course, this being minor league baseball, there are a bunch of promotions and theme nights -- everything from 50 cent hot dog night to "bark in the park" (dog night) to bobblehead night. Let's face it: minor league baseball, wherever you go, is sort of a come-for-the-baseball-stay-for-the-zaniness kind of thing. Nothing wrong with that.

At the ballpark with AOA: There are just a few spots remaining for AOA's night at the ValleyCats June 26. We've lined up a luxury box and food -- and one person will get to throw out a first pitch. Tickets are $20.

Yep, the ValleyCats advertise on AOA.

Earlier on AOA: How to win a mayors race at The Joe

photo courtesy of Tri-City ValleyCats

Drawing: ValleyCats playoffs tickets (and food)

valley cats playoff logo 2012

Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!

The ValleyCats are in the New York Penn League playoffs and they're facing the Auburn Doubledays Saturday night at the The Joe. (It's game two of the first round series -- game one is at Auburn Friday night.) We have a four-pack of tickets for the playoffs that also includes food vouchers -- and we're giving them away, maybe to you.

To enter, please answer this question in the comments:

Who is the Capital Region's MVP?

We'll pick one winner at random. That person will get a package that includes four tickets to each of the four possible ValleyCats home playoff games, plus vouchers for each person to get:

+ 1 beer or soda
+ 1 hot dog
+ 1 bag of chips
+ 1 ice cream sundae

The game on Saturday is at 7 pm. Game 3, if needed, will be Sunday at 5 pm. There's a possibility of two more ValleyCats home games next week, too, if they advance. The four-game playoff ticket pack starts at $19.50.

Important: All comments must be submitted by noon on Friday, September 7, 2012 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 1 pm on Friday and must respond by 5 pm that same day.

Earlier on AOA: How to win a mayors race

How to win a mayors race

valleycats mayors mascots

A rare time out from the intensity of the race for (left to right) "Gary McCarthy," "Lou Rosamilia," and "Jerry Jennings."

By Casey Normile

While many politicians are just gearing up for the fall elections, some Capital Region politicians have been at it since the beginning of summer.

The nightly mayors race at the Tri-City ValleyCats games have kept Albany mayor "Jerry Jennings," Troy mayor "Lou Rosamilia," and Schenectady mayor "Gary McCarthy" in peak political shape.

Hardened with the fire of intense competition, honed to a razor sharp edge by experience, the three mayors now graciously offer some tips to other local politicians on how to win...

(there's more)

Behold, the Andrew Cuomo bobblehead

andrew cuomo bobbleheadMonday night was Andrew Cuomo bobblhead night at the ValleyCats game. The bobblhead on the right is the one snagged by Jessica R.

Much like the actual Andrew Cuomo, the the bobblehead Andrew Cuomo apparently enjoyed strong popularity. People were lined up ahead of time in order to score one of the 1,500 bobbles. Inevitable next question: will bobblehead Andrew Cuomo run for the bobblehead presidency? The world holds its breath, nodding its head gently, waiting for an answer.

Sadly, the life of a bobblehead can be tough -- a lesson bobblhead Andrew Cuomo found out last night.

Earlier on AOA: Kim's collection of Capital Region/New York State bobbleheads

photo: Jessica R

When Stubby gets angry

What's better than a guy named Stubby Clapp? A guy named Stubby Clapp going nuts. From a recent Valley Cats game:

It's too bad the bat toss wasn't captured. A baseball manager's fit doesn't really round the bases until something's thrown.

Clapp was apparently upset because over a disputed hit-by-pitch call.

Also: If Clapp keeps this up, the Canadian authorities will surely contact him about the rule regarding politeness.

[video by Fox23 via Mark McGuire]

Stubby Clapp

stubby clapp canada olympicsPointed out by Andrew today: the manager of the Tri-City Valley Cats is named "Stubby Clapp." A second baseman, Stubby Clapp III's playing career has included:

+ 25 at-bats with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001.

+ The 2004 and 2008 Canadian Olympic baseball teams. Said Justin Morneau of Clapp: "He's what Canadian baseball players are all about." (That would be "a-boot," we hope.)

+ Becoming a folk hero in Memphis.

+ Signing autographs in Syracuse supermarkets.

The Valley Cats' season opens at home this Friday night.

photo: Baseball Canada

"You love cheese, right?"

With the River Rats hockey team moving to North Carolina, Rowdy found himself out on the street with no place to go.

He eventually found his way to the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society -- and scored a spot on WTEN's Pet Connection (video above).

Thankfully, there's a happy end to this story.

[via Brian, who has all four videos lined up on one page]

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine